More than one in five Americans ages 18-34 told Pew Research Center pollsters last year that they’ve postponed having a baby “because of the bad economy.” The same proportion said they were holding off marriage until the economy recovered. More than a third of 25-to 29-year-olds had moved back in with their parents.
The hidden job market doesn’t refer to positions that are kept secret – the ones that employers never want you to hear about. It actually refers to positions that simply aren’t posted online or advertised. According to statistics, 80 percent of all jobs are never advertised.
Hidden market jobs are filled via referrals and visibility. Here are 5 ways to tap into the hidden job market:
- Start Networking – Immediately, consistently and purposefully.
- Become an expert in your field –When opportunity knocks you need to be prepared. Knowledge is power.
- Request informational interviews – Informational interviews allow you to demonstrate your industry expertise and position yourself for jobs later on.
- School Alumni/ae Associations – Ask the alumni office if any graduates work at the companies you’re interested in applying to or if they can connect you with any alum who work in your field.
- Professional and industry associations and societies – Many of these organizations only advertise to their members. An added bonus is that these meetings are a great way to gain insider knowledge.
Nicki Sanders, Chief Visionary Officer of Packaged For Success, helps both youth and adults discover their personal power, dream big, and achieve success on their own terms. Ms. Sanders is an experienced trainer, group facilitator, and program manager who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Ms. Sanders has over fifteen years of direct experience with diverse populations in residential, school-based, and community based agencies.
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